Wisconsin legislative districts illegally drawn by GOP, federal judges say

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A federal court panel ruled Monday that the way Wisconsin's legislative districts were drawn up by state Republicans in 2011 was illegally partisan -- a ruling that will send the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin made the unusual decision Monday in a 2-1 vote and issued a 139-page ruling.

Wisconsin Democrats raised the issue after their stunning defeats on election day two weeks ago -- which gave Republicans their largest majority in the state assembly in 60 years.

The court ruled the GOP-drawn maps are unconstitutional because they are "intended to burden the representational rights of Democratic voters ... by impeding their ability to translate their votes into legislative seats."

"We find that the discriminatory effect is not explained by the political geography of Wisconsin nor is it justified by a legitimate state interest," the judges wrote after four days of arguments.

Changing the districts is expected to heavily impact the Wisconsin Senate.

"That's a victory for democracy because the people of Wisconsin have not been able to elect a government that reflects their views for many years," Wisconsin Fair Elections Project spokesman Sachin Chheda said.

"Republicans win elections because we have better candidates and a better message that continues to resonate with the voters," GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos countered.

Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel promised to appeal Monday's critical ruling.

The case will now go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court for affirmation or scheduling for a review and ruling.

The Supreme Court has been unsuccessful in prior attempts to resolve the issue of gerrymandering -- and may fail to do so again, particularly if it is still without a ninth justice seat that was vacated early this year due to Antonin Scalia's death.